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photography by Dominick reuter PoP Hits Boston PoPs orchestra conductor eith Loc hart rings in the holidays with a Big anniversary and festive flair. by jared bowen Keith Lockhart has spent 20 years at the helm of one of the country's most beloved orchestras, but he'd just as soon gloss over the mile- stone. "I'm not big with anniversaries," he says with a laugh. But there are plenty of reasons to celebrate the Boston Pops conductor. Lockhart was just 35 when he succeeded John Williams in 1995. The young man with the winning smile and rapier on-stage wit has now conducted nearly 1,700 Pops concerts, led 40 national tours, and released two Grammy- nominated albums. "I'm pretty happy," he says. He's always in a good mood during the holiday season, when it's time to lead the Boston Pops Orchestra in one of the city's most treasured annual holiday events. This year's Pops season runs December 2–31 with the orchestra debuting a new version of the original The Christmas Story right alongside holiday chestnuts and sing-alongs. "This is a place enamored of tradition," Lockhart says. Indeed, the iconic Christmas carol "Sleigh Ride" debuted with the Pops in 1949, and more recently Lockhart commissioned a new arrangement of "The Twelve Days of Christmas" by David Chase that's arguably the most spirited ever recorded. And then there's the tinsel, courtesy of Tinseltown, with stars like Kristin Chenoweth, Casey Aff leck, and Vanessa Williams joining the Pops on stage every December. During the rest of the year, Lockhart still gets a charge out of mixing the standards with new favorites. "That chance for exploration is where the Pops resides," he says. In two decades he's also managed to attract a jaw- dropping array of talent to Symphony Hall. He cherishes his concerts with the late Rosemary Clooney and Mel Tormé. And he's still struck by Steven Tyler's energy, Cindi Lauper's fun factor, and Celine Dion's humil- ity. "She was so gracious and kind to the orchestra," he recalls. As for the Pops's huge audiences, its A-list collaborations, and the acclaim it has received, Lockhart prefers to downplay those accom- plishments. "Working in close proximity with the most extraordinary performers of our age, that makes me feel so fortunate in my job." Symphony Hall, 301 Massachusetts Ave., 617-266-1492; bostonpops.org BC This year's Boston Pops holiday show at Symphony Hall will feature a new version of The Christmas Story. bostoncommon-magazine.com 55 CULTURE Hottest Ticket